Kushe Aunsi
Kushe Aunsi or Fathers’ Day falls in the month of Bhadra on a new moon day. Matatirtha Aunsi celebrates mothers while Kushe Aunsi is for fathers. As per Hindu mythology, father should be respected as a God. So on this day people pay respect to their fathers by giving Dhog (bending the forehead on their father’s feet). After Dhog, they offer sweets, fruits and clothes as a sign of respect. Holy scriptures say, “There’s no God above our parent”.
People whose fathers have passed away go to offer Pinda (a round ball of cooked rice) at Gokarna temple in Kathmandu, where Gokarneshwor Mahadev’s temple is located. After the completion of the religious rite there, they donate money and cereals to the Brahmin priests and the poor in the name of their deceased fathers for salvation and virtue. On this day people crop Kush grass, which is believed to be the feature of Lord Vishnu by taking a holy bath early in the morning. The Kush grass is an indispensable item to conduct any kind of Hindu religious rites. This Kush grass can be used throughout the year for any kind of religious rites and if this day has fallen on Monday then this grass can be kept to use until the next twelve years for any kind of religious functions. Some people also make a mat out of this grass and keep it safely to sit on it and use while conducting the sacred religious functions which is called the “Kushashan”. Because of believed as a feature of Lord Vishnu this grass has been respected as a pious item in the Hindu mythology.
